RICKY Burns insists the world will see a new fighter when he makes the fifth defence of his WBO lightweight title.

It was confirmed yesterday that Burns will make his comeback from a broken jaw against America’s Terence Crawford at Glasgow’s SECC on Saturday March 1.

As Record Sport revealed earlier this month, Coatbridge’s finest will make his first appearance since suffering the horror injury just two rounds into his dramatic draw with Raymundo Beltran in September.

Burns is back in training after getting the all-clear from doctors and has vowed to reinvent himself in the ring following two disappointing title defences against Beltran and Jose Gonzalez.

The 30-year-old said: “I have a point to prove.

“I’ve had two bad performances but we’ve made a few changes and some adjustments. We’re going to be doing things differently and fingers crossed we will see a new Ricky Burns on March 1.”

But unbeaten Crawford, who boasts 16 knockouts from his 22 bouts, has vowed to snatch the belt from the Scot.

He said: “I hope Burns is ready to walk to hell and back.

“I’m going to fight with all my heart. I have the determination and the skill to win the world title and bring it home.”

Burns had a tough 2013, with the narrow escape against Beltran coming after Gonzalez was forced to end his own impressive challenge for the title at the end of nine rounds after suffering a broken hand.

But the fact Burns remains the world champion heading into the new year is testament to his courage.

The Scot said: “As soon as the jaw injury happened against Beltran, I went into survival mode.

“Everybody knew something was wrong, even if they didn’t know exactly what it was. When the final bell went, I wasn’t caring about the decision.

“The first couple of months after the operation were a nightmare. They told me to watch what I was eating and I could hardly open my mouth, I couldn’t speak.

“Everybody is writing me off again with Terence but that doesn’t bother me. I like being the underdog and can’t wait to get back out there in front of another great Glasgow crowd.”

Crawford, 26, is fighting outside of America for the first time but promoter Bob Arum said: “We believe Terence is ready to win the title and take it home to Omaha.”